Green Infrastructure Strategy Buckfastleigh & Buckfast Neighbourhood Plan 2017 - 2027 Document prepared by Landsmith Associates Ltd and Tor Ecology Ltd Front cover image: View from Church Steps, Buckfastleigh © Derek Harper, geograph.org.uk/p/1124090 Issue Date 06.07.18 Version 3.0 Copyright This report and associated documentation is to be used for its intended purpose only, copyright is retained by Landsmith Associates Ltd and Tor Ecology Limited. This document is not to be used by any third party without the written agreement of Landsmith Associates and Tor Ecology Limited. All photos copyright of Tor Ecology/Jenni Reid unless otherwise stated. 2 © Executive Summary Buckfastleigh Town Council are in the process of producing a Neighbourhood Plan (NP) for the Parish of Buckfastleigh and Buckfast for the period 2017 – 2027. This ambitious document details the aspirations and direction of the community. The Town Council commissioned this Green Infrastructure Strategy (GIS) to support the emerging NP. Analysis completed during the site appraisal identified that the Parish is an area rich in biodiversity and landscape value, however it lacks in pedestrian access and an interconnected off-road cycle network, the public realm is lacking in cohesion and continuity and flood events are common, negatively impacting on local business and residents. A range of proposals have been outlined within this strategy to inform future growth, including enhancement of biodiversity networks, creation of a more sustainable and active travel network and improvement of key gateway sites. This document is intended as an outline document only, providing a direction and proposals to be brought forward in the future by the Community and the Parish. Following the approval of the neighbourhood plan, there are several potential future steps including exploration of funding opportunities for feasibility studies and further community engagement to develop some of the ideas contained within this document. Potential funding opportunities, and further details of proposals are contained within the report and appendices. 3 Contents Executive Summary 3 Introduction 5 Methodology, Purpose and Status 6 Aims and Objectives 7 Guiding Principles 8 Location 12 Site Appraisal 14 Summary of Site Appraisals 21 Proposals 22 Next Steps… 28 Conclusions 29 Appendices 30 References 37 4 Round Cross viewed from Church Cross road, Buckfastleigh. Introduction “Green infrastructure (GI) is a network of multifunctional green space, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities” National Planning Policy Framework, 2016i. Local planning authorities should: “set out a strategic approach in their Local Plans, planning positively for the creation, protection, enhancement and management of networks of biodiversity and green infrastructure”, National Planning Policy Framework, 2016ii. In February 2018 Buckfastleigh Town Council proposals do not fall within the scope of this (BTC) appointed Landsmith Associates and Tor document. Ecology to produce a Green Infrastructure It should be noted that the development of Strategy (GIS) to accompany the Buckfastleigh & proposals associated with the Buckfast area are Buckfast Neighbourhood Plan (BBNP). The BBNP limited within this document. Buckfast Abbey is being prepared within the context of the provide support for the management of public Dartmoor National Park Authority Core Strategy realm within the locality of the village (via mowing Development Plan Document (June 2008) and the regimes and management of green space in and Teignbridge Local Plan (adopted 6th May 2014). around the locality of the Abbey) and are in The purpose of this GIS is to produce a series of ownership of much of the land and buildings evidence-based outline proposals to inform and within the village. As such, emerging proposals guide BBNP policies and to provide a framework within this area should be developed in close for the future direction of the Parish for the next association with the Abbey as key stakeholders. 15 years. This GIS is intended to contribute to and This level of consultation did not fall within the compliment the Neighbourhood Plan. Detailed scope of this document. 5 © Methodology, Purpose and Status This aspirational strategy is informed by the Proposals are outlined within this document; proposals and findings as set out in the however detailed development of these Neighbourhood Development Plan, site proposals falls outside of the scope of this appraisals, desktop studies, local, national and strategy and should be regarded as a separate international planning policy and guidance, scope of works. designated sites and best practice guidance. In The scale of the site appraisals and proposals addition, site visits were undertaken with Judith contained within this document are separated Hart, Inga Page and Councillor Simon Rines into two types: from Buckfastleigh Town Council. The document was also developed with 1. Wider Rural Area – to include the entire consideration to past stakeholder and Parish council boundary and approximately community consultations which highlighted local 2km beyond to illustrate wider connections aspirations and needs. and context. The wider area plan shows connections to surrounding GI outside the Liaison and input from the local and county Parish boundary and beyond. GI stretches authority officers from Dartmoor National Park from the local micro scale to macro regional Authority have assisted in ensuring that the and international scale at a broad strategic proposals tie in with local proposals and level. These include, for example, planting principles. Teignbridge District Council and strategies, foot and cycle networks, Devon County Council had also had ecological habitats and biodiversity networks. opportunities to review and provide comments during the development of this strategy; no 2. Local Urban Context – This focuses on the formal comments have been issued at date of more detailed strategies for each of the final publication. settlements, Buckfastleigh and Buckfast. These strategies include public realm Local guidance policies including the Devon improvements, expanding local access, County Council Green Infrastructure Strategy increasing biodiversity, flood prevention and Guiding Principlesiii create the framework for this food production. document whilst the proposals developed within it are individually developed and tailored to the The proposals within this document can also area. inform tangible schemes with funding potential for future infrastructure improvements; parks There are a variety of proposals which are and gardens, streets/public realm, public formal intended to be implemented in the short-term (6 squares and spaces, woodlands and green links months), medium-term and long-term. The (typology of open spaces based on PPG17 proposals can be used to inform tangible classificationv). schemes with funding potential for infrastructure improvements, parks and gardens, streets/public realm, public formal squares and spaces, woodlands and green links (classification of these open space categories is based on PPG17 classificationiv). These proposals need to be developed further and supported by local landowners, the community and other stakeholders in the area to ascertain deliverability and suitability. Some of the schemes set out in this strategy could benefit the NDP process however others could be developed in partnerships with the local authority. 6 © Aims and Objectives The key aim of this Green Infrastructure The BBNP refers to several concepts which are Strategy (GIS) is to create, enhance and renew relevant to the aims of this GIS. These include: networks and spaces, connecting the natural and built environment by: • To support economic growth that is sustainable and economically vibrant • Developing and supporting the sustainable attracting people who can enjoy the long-term vision of the Parish combined benefits of living and working in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. • Improving and creating a more pedestrian- led public realm • To encourage active travel and improve Parish infrastructure by creating a network of • Enhancing biodiversity and natural capital vi footpaths and cycle trails leading to greater value access to nature, improved health and • Encouraging active travel and enhancing wellbeing and a reduction in car travel. health and wellbeing • Improving the public realm by enhancing • Inspiring community cohesion and increasing green space and important ‘gateway’ sites social interaction used by the community for leisure and • Responding to climate change and creating a recreation. more resilient landscape • Create better vocational training and leisure • Providing a framework and structure to facilities locally for young people and inform and guide new development eradicate social isolation through community support initiatives. • Encouraging children to be close to nature, in and out of school • To showcase the importance of the rich heritage of the Parish and protect and • Encouraging local food production and enhance the internationally significant sustainable foraging biodiversity and geodiversity of the Parish. • Reinforcing green links through the town and • To recognise the contribution of the rural beyond; from green roofs to woodland landscape and farming within the Parish and to support emerging farming policy such as The focus of the BBNP, relevant aims of which access to